Media invited to preview Chicagoland TRIPS kiosks
(Chicago) … With miles
of commuter rail lines crossing through Chicagoland and a bus stop at nearly
every streetcorner in
the
Loop,
navigating the region’s public transit system can be daunting for locals and
tourists. Fortunately, it’s about to get easier with Chicagoland TRIPS (Traveler
Resource and Itinerary Planning System).
Soon-to-be-available at
pilot kiosks throughout the region, TRIPS does exactly what its name implies: It
offers away-from-home access to an interactive database with information on
public transit routes and schedules, as well as regional attractions and events.
By Aug. 28, TRIPS kiosks will be installed at prime locations throughout
Chicagoland, including the
Chicago
Cultural
Center
,
Midway
Airport,
Navy Pier, Pace Headquarters, Palmer House Hilton,
RTA
Customer
Service
Center,
Shedd
Aquarium, Union Station, and Westfield
Northbridge Shopping Mall.
At
a demonstration event Aug. 25, media can take the TRIPS kiosks for a
test
run. Project partners and technology consultants will field questions, and lunch
will be served.
The initiative is a
collaborative effort of Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), Regional Transportation
Authority (RTA), City
of
Chicago, and Chicago Convention and Tourism
Bureau.
“The goals of TRIPS are
to relieve congestion and increase tourism by making it easy to take public
transportation and putting detailed information about regional attractions at
people’s fingertips,” said Peter Skosey, MPC vice president of external
relations.
What:
A sneak peek for media at Chicagoland’s first traveler information
kiosks, including background information on the pilot project and an unveiling
of the kiosks, which participants can take for a test run.
Who:
Pro
ject
partners, including
Peter Skosey, MPC Vice
President of External Relations, and technology consultants Catalyst Consulting
Inc.,
will
be available to field questions and demonstrate the kiosks.
When: Wednesday, Aug. 25,
2004,
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: RTA Administrative Offices, 175
W. Jackson
Blvd.,
Ste. 1550, Chicago
So that we may plan for lunch, please
RSVP by Monday, 8/23, to Mandy Burrell, 312-863-6018
or mburrell@metroplanning.org
.